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Libs meeting 'not Abbott-PM battle'

A senior Liberal says it's wrong to see debate over changes to party rules as a battle between Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull.

About 1500 Liberal members are gathering in Sydney on Saturday for a special convention to discuss changes to the way candidates are selected and policies are developed.

However, the convention is being seen as a de facto leadership contest between Mr Abbott, who hails from the conservative wing, and Mr Turnbull who is a moderate.

Some members have publicly threatened to leave the party if a motion promoted by Mr Abbott's Warringah federal electoral conference is not passed on Sunday.

Cabinet minister Arthur Sinodinos told reporters outside the convention it was a chance for Liberal "foot soldiers" to chart the future of the party.

Asked whether it should be seen as Turnbull-Abbott battle he said: "No. It should be seen as the Liberal Party having a robust discussion about what is the best way to deal with these sorts of issues going forward."

"People can speak robustly, but at the end of the day it's the people in there (the convention room) who will have the say."

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It is understood Mr Turnbull and Mr Abbott earlier in the week spoke on the phone regarding the convention.

Fairfax reported Mr Turnbull indicated in the call he would support the principle of plebiscites to select candidates, which is something Mr Abbott has been promoting as a way to end factionalism in the party and was recommended by a review led by John Howard.

Asked whether it was good the pair had sought to bury the hatchet, Senator Sinodinos told reporters: "I'm always happy when all my colleagues are talking."

The main point of contention at the convention is around the checks and balances on the candidate plebiscites.

The convention is being billed by supporters of Mr Abbott as "the most important meeting of the NSW Liberal Party since Robert Menzies first addressed our division in 1945".